Largescale Solar Farm on the horizon for Bouldercombe area

Published on 13 June 2017

Rockhampton’s 300 days of sunshine a year are set to power up the Region’s renewable energy sector with Council today giving the green light to a development application that will see the Bouldercombe area become home to one of Australia’s largest solar farms.

Council approved the Eco Energy World (EEW) Australia application at this morning’s council meeting, which proposes to produce 300 megawatts of power from a soon to be established site at Cherryfield Road.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said the project approval is welcome news for the Region with job creation among the offshoots.

“This is a huge and very exciting project for our Region. There’s potential for dozens of jobs during the site’s initial establishment and once it’s up and running – which is fantastic especially given that this project has a potential lifespan of up to 30 years,” Mayor Strelow said.

The project’s set up will involve the placement of a series of solar panels across the property, along with two transformers and a site office.  The development also proposes limited disturbance to the land, allowing the site to return to grazing practices once the solar farm is decommissioned.

Chair of Council’s Environment Portfolio Councillor Drew Wickerson said he is thrilled to see a project of this kind established in the Region. 

“This project helps our entire Region in working toward a more eco-friendly future and shows that the future is bright for the renewable energy sector in Bouldercombe and the wider Region,” Cr Wickerson said.